For centuries, camels have been inseparable from Saudi and Arab identity. Today, they are taking on a new role in the world of luxury fashion, far beyond their traditional image as desert animals.
Arabian camel hair now has a chance to compete with globally renowned fibers such as cashmere and merino wool. For consumers worldwide, there’s something fascinating about a fabric that comes directly from the desert landscapes of Arabia.
In 2024, the Saudi Ministry of Culture announced the Year of the Camel. During this period, the Fashion Commission released a report titled “Camels and Contemporary Fashion”, highlighting the economic potential of camel hair and hides. The report projected an 18% rise in demand for camel hides between 2023 and 2028, potentially increasing annual revenues for the Saudi economy to $98.7 million. Saudi Arabia currently ranks fifth globally in camel population, with nearly two million camels.
The report also noted that if camel leather were promoted as a luxury alternative to traditional leather and captured just 1% of the global luxury leather market, the sector’s value could reach $827 million by 2025, rising further to $924 million by 2028.
A Precious Treasure Still Untapped
Arabian camels make up over 80% of the world’s camel population, yet their luxurious hair has long been underused—even though it is lighter and softer than wool or cashmere and has strong insulating properties.
That’s where NOUKK, a Saudi company pioneering in this field, stepped in to produce luxury textiles made entirely from Arabian camel hair.
Why Camel Hair?
Arabian camel hair—especially the fine inner layer—is incredibly soft, lightweight, and offers excellent thermal insulation. In the past, camel hair was seen as unsuitable for luxury clothing due to its coarse outer layer. However, new studies and modern fiber-processing techniques revealed a fine undercoat that is remarkably soft and warm.
How Did the Idea Begin?
For decades, camel hair was seen as having little value in fashion, used mainly for rugs and tents. NOUKK changed this perception through years of research and experimentation, developing techniques to separate coarse fibers from fine ones. The result is a soft yet durable yarn that can compete with the best cashmere fibers.
This required rethinking the entire processing method, but the company succeeded. Today, designers can use Arabian camel hair as a refined, high-quality alternative to well-known luxury fibers.
What Makes Camel Hair Stand Out
Softness like cashmere: especially the hair taken from young camels (huwar), as the fibers are finer and more flexible.
Natural thermal insulation: camel hair retains warmth in winter and stays cool in summer.
Strength and durability: the fibers are tough and do not break easily, yet remain lightweight, making them ideal for high-end fashion.
Eco-friendly: camels do not require intensive farming like goats or sheep, which makes camel hair a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option compared to other fibers.
Can Camel Hair Compete With Cashmere?
Luxury fashion has long been dominated by familiar natural fibers, but the growing global interest in sustainability has opened new doors. Camel hair is now emerging as one of the most promising alternatives. Major markets in Europe, the US, and China are exploring sustainable materials, giving camel hair a chance to build a strong global presence.
NOUKK is currently focusing on marketing its products in the Gulf and North Africa, with plans to expand internationally and establish Arabian camel hair as a premium material in its own right—an Arabian cashmere.
The Challenges Ahead
Despite its many advantages, camel hair faces several challenges:
Difficulty of collection, as it naturally sheds in spring, making large-scale sourcing complex.
High processing costs, since separating fine fibers requires advanced techniques.
Low public awareness compared to other luxury materials.
Over time, NOUKK has begun overcoming these challenges by working directly with camel breeders, offering fair prices, and providing manuals that explain proper collection methods. The company is also investing in technologies that reduce production costs.
Could Camel Hair Become the “Arabian Cashmere”?
As global consumers seek products that combine quality with sustainability, Arabian camel hair holds strong potential to become a key player in the luxury fashion industry. NOUKK is now working to build a global reputation for this unique material—turning the camel from a symbol of tradition into a symbol of innovation and luxury.
And perhaps soon, a camel-hair sweater might become your favorite thing to wear on a cold winter night.
